To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to eliminate a provision that permits certain Members of Congress to use excess campaign funds for personal purposes, and for other purposes.

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to remove the authority for certain Members of Congress to use excess campaign funds for personal purposes.

Prohibits a multicandidate political committee controlled by a Member of the House of Representatives from making contributions to an authorized committee of any other individual who is a candidate for the House of Representatives.

States that any contribution to a candidate for the House of Representatives may only be used to defray election expenses, except that not more than $100,000 may be retained for any lawful purpose. Requires the treasurer of each principal campaign committee of such candidate: (1) to pay all such expenses not later than 90 days after the general election; and (2) not later than 270 days after the general election, to submit to the Secretary of the Treasury, refund pro rata to contributors, or contribute to any national or State committee of a political party, any amount not so used or retained.

Directs the Federal Election Commission to conduct random audits of the accounts of principal campaign committees of candidates for the House of Representatives.

 
HR 3116 IH
101st CONGRESS
1st Session
 H. R. 3116
To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to eliminate a provision
that permits certain Members of Congress to use excess campaign funds for
personal purposes, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 3, 1989
Mr. HILER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on House Administration
A BILL
To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to eliminate a provision
that permits certain Members of Congress to use excess campaign funds for
personal purposes, and for other purposes.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
  States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 313 OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT OF
1971 TO ELIMINATE PERSONAL USE OF EXCESS CAMPAIGN FUNDS BY CERTAIN MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS.
  (a) IN GENERAL- Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
  (2 U.S.C. 439a) is amended by striking out `, with respect to' and all
  that follows through `1979,'.
  (b) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by section 1 shall take effect at
  the beginning of the 102d Congress.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS BY MULTICANDIDATE POLITICAL
COMMITTEES CONTROLLED BY MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
  (a) IN GENERAL- Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
  (2 U.S.C. 441a) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
  `(i)(1) A multicandidate political committee that is controlled by a
  Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress may
  not make contributions to an authorized committee of any other individual
  who is a candidate for any such office.
  `(2) As used in this subsection--
  `(A) the term `multicandidate political committee' has the meaning given
  that term in subsection (a)(4); and
  `(B) the term `controlled by a Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
  Commissioner to, the Congress' means, in relation to a multicandidate
  political committee, controlled by the Representative in, or Delegate or
  Resident Commissioner to, the Congress with respect to contributions by
  the committee.'.
  (b) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with
  respect to elections taking place more than 2 years after the date of the
  enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. RESTRICTION ON USE OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CANDIDATES.
  Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et
  seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
`USE OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATES
  `SEC. 324. Any contribution to a candidate for the office of Representative
  in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, with respect to
  a general election or any primary election relating to the general election,
  may be used only to defray expenses of either election, except that not more
  than $100,000 may be retained for any purpose otherwise permitted by law. The
  treasurer of each principal campaign committee of such candidate shall--
  `(1) pay all such expenses not later than 90 days after the general
  election; and
  `(2) not later than 270 days after the general election, submit to the
  Secretary of the Treasury (for deposit in the Treasury as miscellaneous
  receipts), refund pro rata to contributors, or contribute to any national
  committee or State committee of a political party, any amount not so used
  or retained.'.
SEC. 4. RANDOM AUDITS OF ACCOUNTS IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTIONS.
  (a) IN GENERAL- Section 311 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
  (2 U.S.C. 438) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
  `(g) The Commission shall conduct random audits of the accounts of principal
  campaign committees of candidates for the office of Representative in,
  or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.'.
  (b) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with
  respect to elections taking place after November 6, 1990.